Pakistan: Government Seeks to Try Rape Cases Under Civil, not Islamic, Penal Code

Reuters reports that on November 15, Pakistan’s lower house of parliament passed the Women’s Protection Bill, removing rape from the group of crimes considered under Islamic laws known as the Hudood Ordinance and restoring it to crimes considered under the civil penal code.  The Ordinance, instituted by military leader Zia-ul-Haq in 1979, carries out punishments found in the Koran for certain crimes.  Islamist MPs boycotted the vote, saying the proposed changes were not in line with Islamic teaching.  The bill must pass the upper house before it becomes law.